Our Opinion: Brogan board must get financial buy-in

A proposal to bring a new direction to the Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science is an idea worth exploring.

The impressive building on the edge of Kleman Plaza operated for 14 years, sometimes on a shoestring budget and support, before closing its doors earlier this year.

The location is valuable in that it ties into downtown, it's close to both Florida State and Florida A&M universities and it gives the Brogan the potential to resurrect itself with a meaningful purpose that once again can make it a unique destination for children, families and tourists.

At the same time, board members must be able to generate the kind of financial support needed to move from concept to reality.

Felicia Nowels, chairwoman of the museum's board of directors, recently presented to Leon County commissioners the concept of moving the focus away from the arts and more toward science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The goal would be to have the museum become a magnet for those interested in exploring science and would include partnerships with teachers, graduate students and experts in these fields.

This concept has a lot of potential.

Placing more emphasis on STEM-based learning is a goal of Gov. Rick Scott, and he's been able to spread that message to Florida's higher-education system. In turn, it also has evolved as helping to shape the blueprint for learning in K-12 education.

The interest in science and technology is well documented in this community. Scientists from all over the world visit the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at Florida State. In addition, there is the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and the School of the Environment at Florida A&M.

Equally as important is the vision, creativity and future wonders displayed each year at science fairs, featuring students from our middle and high schools.

But as was the case in its previous mission, the board must be able to fully develop this concept and to make sure that there is solid community buy-in that can be sustained.

Leon County commissioners agreed last week to commit $150,000 to the program, though the source of that money in lean budget times has yet to be identified. And, as County Commissioner Nick Maddox made clear, the museum board also must show what other financial commitment it can expect from the city of Tallahassee, higher-education institutions in the city, Leon County Schools and private resources.

Without that financial backing, the board members could itself in the same position as before. We urge the center's board to proceed with deliberation and with caution.

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Our Opinion: Brogan board must get financial buy-in

A proposal to bring a new direction to the Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science is an idea worth exploring.